New Hampshire Roll Call

Sunday

Jun 1, 2014 at 2:00 AM

Recent action includes:

Recent action includes:

Domestic violence

Senate Bill 390, "prohibiting discrimination against employees who are victims of domestic violence and establishing a committee to study the protection of employees from domestic violence," unanimously passed the Senate in March.

The Criminal Justice Committee voted 11 to 7 recommending approval. The majority reported, "This bill would help to keep victims of domestic violence from becoming victimized again, this time in the workplace.

"It helps victims to break free of further abuse by providing a protection from employer actions such as refusal to hire, discharge, demote, suspend, or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking."

Suggesting passage with only the study portion of the bill, the minority wrote, "The committee heard absolutely no evidence that such a problem exists, and until evidence is produced in the form of a study committee, the minority is convinced this bill is simply a solution looking for a problem that does not exist.

"If we begin to legislate out of concern for 'fears,' there would be no end of bills which might come forward. We hear of all too many episodes of a disgruntled employee opening fire at random in the workplace and killing innocent people."

SB 388, "establishing a committee to study the current status of land conservation in New Hampshire and the state's role in encouraging voluntary protection of land in the future," is sponsored by Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth. It passed the Senate in March.

The Resources, Recreation and Development Committee recommended passage 9 to 2. The committee reported, "Since the Land and Community Heritage Commission's final report in 1999 and the creation of the Land and Community Investment Program (LCHIP), there has not been a statewide comprehensive study of land conservation in New Hampshire. Since 1999, landowners and municipalities have chosen to voluntarily conserve over 400,000 acres. Most of this land is in north and central New Hampshire.

"Since land conservation serves to protect the state's drinking water supply, it is important to note, that in our highly populated southern tier, almost 20,000 acres of aquifers were developed between 2002-2010. The committee believes that a thorough study of public and private conservation lands will help New Hampshire meet future challenges to drinking water supply, maintain a land base for farming and forestry, protect fish and wildlife habitat, and provide outdoor recreation opportunities."

SB 308, "establishing a committee to study innovation in the delivery of health care and relative to an assessment for purposes of the state health plan," passed the Senate in March and received four work sessions and three public hearings since the beginning of the year. It was reported by the Finance Committee with an amendment for passage 13 to 10.

The majority reported, "The amendment replaces the bill with a study committee to examine the issue, its potential impact on cost, quality and access, similar actions taken by other states, and the scope of projects that would be considered by New Hampshire providers. The report is due Nov. 1, 2014."

Recommending killing the bill, the minority wrote, "While the minority agrees with the concept of establishing a study committee, the disagreement involves paying $300k for the development of a state health plan."

In the Senate, Sen. Nancy Stiles, R-Hampton, moved to "non-concur" with the House version. The Senate agreed, so the legislation has been killed for this year.

Dedicated funds

Constitutional Amendment Concurrent Resolution 19, "providing that dedicated funds shall be used solely for the purpose of the fund," is sponsored by Sen. Fuller Clark and Rep. Cahill. It passed the Senate 21 to 2 in March, with Sens. Fuller Clark, Russell Prescott, R-Kingston, and Stiles in favor.

The Ways and Means Committee voted 19 to 0 recommending the bill be further studied, and not be passed. The committee reported, "The purpose for recommending interim study of CACR 19 is to review the absolute prohibition of diverting dedicated funds and the effect upon the financial commitment of the state of New Hampshire to programs and operations. Numerous financial problems were brought up in committee discussions."

"Yes" favored the motion for further study, "no" supported other action:

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